Ministry of Health
Publications
- Aboriginal
- Addictions and Substance Abuse
- Anxiety
- Brain Injury
- Developmental Disability
- Eating Disorders
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Financial Assistance
- Integrated Care
- Mental Health
- Mood Disorders
- Psychosis
- Tobacco
- Treatment
- Women
Aboriginal
Acting On What We Know: Preventing Youth Suicide in First Nations
This report outlines recommendations to help prevent youth suicides occurring in First Nations communities across Canada.
The Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan (PDF 1.5M)
The First Nations Leadership Council and British Columbia developed this plan to identify priorities for action to close the health gap between First Nations and other British Columbians.
TopAddictions and Substance Abuse
Crystal Meth and Other Amphetamines: An Integrated BC Strategy (PDF 1.1M)
This strategy identifies B.C.’s five priorities for action with regards to the use and supply of crystal meth and other amphetamines.
Crystal Meth and Other Amphetamines: An Integrated BC Strategy Six-Month Progress Report (PDF 327K)
A six-month progress report of the Crystal Meth and Other Amphetamines: An Integrated BC Strategy released in August, 2004.
A planning framework to guide and support health authorities to address problematic substance use and associated mental health problems with integrated responses.
A tool kit designed to assist families in caring for a family member with a mental illness or substance use disorder by providing information and practical resources.
Following the Evidence: Preventing Harms from Substance Use in BC (PDF 919K)
Identifies key strategic directions for ministries, health authorities, local governments and agencies involved in the development of healthy public policy in B.C.
Harm Reduction: A British Columbia Community Guide (PDF 478K)
A document outlining what harm reduction means and examples of how communities and municipalities can be partners in preventing and reducing harms from substance use.
Health Canada’s Alcohol and Drug Prevention Publications
An indexed list of links to publications concerning alcohol and other drugs.
Mental Health and Addictions Information Plan for Mental Health Literacy 2003-2005 (PDF 380K)
Mental health literacy refers to knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders, which assist in the recognition, management or prevention of mental health and substance use problems, and mental and substance use disorders. This plan will ensure the accessibility of evidence-based mental health and addictions information to all British Columbians.
Problem Substance Use Workbook
A resource which educates the user about the impacts of problem alcohol or drug use behaviour, treatments and strategies on becoming more active in the recovery process.
Weaving Threads Together: A New Approach to Address Addictions in BC (PDF 556K)
A 2001 report outlining the recommendations developed by an appointed task group who examined the existing addiction services system in British Columbia.
Anxiety
A resource to help individuals cope with an anxiety disorder and to educate anyone wanting to lean more about this common type of mental health problem.
A Provincial Anxiety Disorders Strategy (PDF 248K)
A strategy to improve outcomes in the management of anxiety disorders for provincial and regional health authorities.
Brain Injury
Guidelines for Planning Brain Injury Services and Supports in British Columbia (PDF 587K)
These planning guidelines are intended to build on the strengths of the current health service delivery structure and to continue to make progress in providing quality services and supports to persons with brain injury and their families.
Traumatic Brain Injury Survival Guide
An online guide for head injured persons and their families.
Developmental Disability
Highlights the approach and principal recommendations for planning mental health and addiction services for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities.
Eating Disorders
Action Plan for Provincial Services for People with Eating Disorders (PDF 1.0M)
The British Columbia Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, has developed this action plan in response to a review of services to children, youth and adults with eating disorders in BC conducted in 2009 and early 2010. The actions contribute to the improvement of the overall system of care, including supporting provincial health care system to build capacity and resources to treat children, youth and adults in BC.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
FASD: A Strategic Plan for British Columbia (PDF)
Developed in 2003 by B.C.’s Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Financial Assistance
No-Charge Psychiatric Medication Plan (Plan G)
Available to individuals of any age who are registered with a mental health service centre and who demonstrate clinical and financial need. The plan provides coverage of certain psychiatric medications.
Integrated Care
Integrated Models of Primary Care and Mental Health & Substance Use Care in the Community (PDF 1.4M)
This review undertook to identify researched models of integrated care that were found to be specifically effective for individuals with mental health and/or substance use needs, and included primary care services. It further outlines the unique service considerations/elements that need to be addressed when planning services for various subpopulations. This document is to act as a guide on current, best known practices for health authorities, regional managers, physicians and those considering realignment of care strategies.
Mental Health
An executive summary of the recommendations generated during a 2001 community forum held in Vancouver on discrimination against people with mental illnesses and their families.
A tool kit designed to assist families in caring for a family member with a mental illness or substance use disorder by providing information and practical resources.
Guidelines for Elderly Mental Health Care Planning for Best Practices for Health Authorities (PDF 1.1M)
A guide for health authorities in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating services that maximize quality of life for elderly people who have complex and challenging mental health problems.
Hope and Healing: A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide
The guide focuses on the practical matters that survivors need to deal with after a suicide. Further help and information are listed under Other Resources.
The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada 2006
A report to raise awareness and increase knowledge and understanding about mental health and mental illness in Canada.
The Mental Health Act helps provide people with mental disorders the treatment and care they need when they are not willing to accept it.
The 1998 Mental Health Plan sets out the objectives and strategies for mental health reform that will promote the optimal mental health and participation of people with mental illness in BC.
Mental Health Promotion Tool Kit
A guide for implementing a mental health promotion program, including examples, strategies, tips and tools.
The Provincial Suicide Clinical Framework
Provides a common strategy for mental health and addiction services to align with best practice standards for suicide risk management. The Framework and its accompanying template is structured to provide clinical and administrative leaders across BC’s Health Authorities (HA) with the background information and steps for developing a protocol that incorporates best practice standards in suicide assessment, treatment, monitoring and documentation.
A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada (2002)
A report designed to raise the profile of mental illness among government and non-government organizations, and the industry, education, workplace and academic sectors.
Shared Mental Health Care in Canada
This site provides up-to-date information on collaborative activities between mental health and primary care providers.
This report provides a framework and planning template and recommendations for local, regional and provincial initiatives addressing suicide prevention, intervention and postvention across the lifespan.
Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness: A Training Tool for Communities (PDF 2.1M)
This manual contains what is needed for anyone with some experience in adult education to hold a community event that will inform audiences as to the issues involved in supporting families with parental mental illness.
Mood Disorders
Addressing Perinatal Depression: A Framework for BC’s Health Authorities (PDF 933K)
This document outlines a framework for action to improve recognition, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for women affected by perinatal depression in B.C.
Antidepressant Skills Workbook
This workbook gives an overview of depression, explains how it can be effectively managed according to the best available research and gives a step-by-step guide to changing patterns that trigger depression. Available in Chinese, English, French and Punjabi.
This workbook deals with depression in the workplace environment.
British Columbia’s Provincial Depression Strategy (PDF 2.1M)
A strategy to identify opportunities to improve the quality and effectiveness of British Columbia’s approach to the prevention and treatment of depression.
Intended for individuals who are currently experiencing suicidal ideation and/or have had a plan or made an attempt to hurt themselves.
Dealing With Depression: Antidepressant Skills for Teens
This workbook explains depression and teaches teens skills they can use to help overcome or prevent it. Available in English and French.
Depression and Work Function: Bridging the Gap Between Mental Health Care and the Workplace
This workbook reviews many of the current clinical and workplace issues associated with depression.
This toolkit contains resources and strategies important for the self-management of depression.
The guide provides a practical, office-based tool for dealing with depression, anxiety disorders, early psychosis and substance use disorders in day-to-day practice.
This toolkit will help people who already know that they have a mental disorders develop skills to manage their illness on their own.
Psychosis
Dealing with Psychosis Toolkit
A set of strategies and skills that are intended to be learned by a person with psychosis while supported by another person whose role is to facilitate that learning.
Early Psychosis – A Care Guide (PDF 3.2M)
This guide provides an overview of practices that the authors believe to be optimal in treating and assessing early psychosis.
Early Psychosis – A Care Guide Summary (PDF 2.8M)
This summary highlights the approach and principal recommendations contained in the Early Psychosis – A Care Guide.
Early Psychosis – A Guide for Physicians (PDF 848K)
This booklet provides mental health clinicians with a brief overview of first-episode psychosis guidelines in order to promote early and appropriate intervention.
Early Psychosis – A Guide for Mental Health Clinicians (PDF 912K)
This booklet provides general practitioners with a brief overview of first-episode psychosis guidelines in order to promote early and appropriate intervention.
Early Identification of Psychosis – A Primer (PDF 82K)
This booklet was developed for mental health workers, school counsellors, alcohol and professionals, and others working with youth and young adults who may be at risk for psychosis.
Standards and Guidelines for Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Programs (PDF 82K)
Tobacco
B.C.’s Tobacco Control Strategy
Treatment
British Columbia Program Standards for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams (PDF 1.4M)
This document provides the standards of care for Assertive Community Treatment services in British Columbia that were developed based on best practices. These Standards define precisely for whom ACT is intended, the required services, the type of staff/numbers needed to competently provide the services, and the intended benefits/outcomes for the clients receiving the services.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Core Information Document (PDF 1.0M)
This document provides an overview of cognitive behavioural therapy and summarizes evidence supporting its effectiveness in addressing a variety of psychological problems.
Continuum of Community Mental Health and Addictions Services (PDF 92K)
A list of British Columbia services for people with severe addictions and mental illness.
Electroconvulsive Therapy: Guidelines for Health Authorities in British Columbia (PDF 3.7M)
The purpose of these guidelines is to standardize the delivery of electroconvulsive therapy services across British Columbia.
Emergency Mental Health Educational Manual
This manual contains the core information necessary for healthcare providers and frontline responders to work within the context of mental health emergencies.
Peer Support Resource Manual (PDF 762K)
This manual provides background information on the importance of peer support for people with a mental illness, the key elements needed in a peer support program and a step-by-step outline of how to develop a peer support program.
Secure Rooms and Seclusion Standards and Guidlines: A Literature and Evidence Review
(PDF 1.3M)
Appendices
(PDF 722K)
This report provides the clinical, professional and policy evidence base related to the use of secure rooms and seclusion interventions. It synthesizes recently published academic, government and gray literature; a cross-jurisdictional scan of existing standards and guidelines for secure rooms and seclusion; and consultations with international experts in order to identify best practice for service delivery, which is underwritten by a proactive focus on minimizing the use of seclusion whenever possible.
Standards for Hospital-Based Emergency Services: Observation Units (PDF 169K)
Outlines the standards that must be met in order for a hospital to be designated as an observation unit. Hospitals designated under the Mental Health Act as observation units manage the care of and stabilize acutely ill psychiatric patients.
Working With the Client Who is Suicidal: A Tool for Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services (PDF 1.7M)
This document is intended to serve as an information and planning tool for people working with suicidal adults in mental health and addiction settings.
Women
Addressing Perinatal Depression: A Framework for B.C.’s Health Authorities (PDF 933K)
This framework will help guide the development of a regionally appropriate strategy for addressing perinatal depression at the local community level.
Guidelines Relating to Reproductive Mental Health
The British Columbia Reproductive Care Program’s principles and framework on reproductive mental illness during the perinatal period.
Guidelines Relating to Perinatal Care for Substance Using Women and Their Newborns
The British Columbia Reproductive Care Program’s principles on perinatal care for substance using women and their newborns.
Self-care Program for Women with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety (PDF)
A manual to help women with postpartum depression and the health care providers who treat these women and their families.